Button-attaching machine



March 31, 1931. J. M. CLARK BUTTON ATTACHING MACHINE Filed June 2, 19227 Sheets-Sheet 1 $7222, 01 Clawk.

March 31, 1931. J, M CLARK 1,798,969

BUTTON AITACHTNG MACHINE Filed June 2, 1922 T Sheets-Sheet, 2

March 31, 1931. CLARK BUTTON ATTAGHING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1922 TSheets-Sheet 3 ndentom March 31, 1931. CLARK 1,798,969

BUTTON ATTACHING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 31,1931. J. M. CLARK 1,798,969

BUTTON ATTACHING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 31,1931. J. M. CLARK 1,798,969

BUTTON ATTACHING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 ndanicm@127??? 1 1. 6207'? Gato ade g March 31, 1931. J, M CLARK 1,798,969

BUTTON ATTACHING MACHINE Filed June 2 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 rub auto:

?ZAM2 Grandmas Patented Mar. 31, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHNM. CLARK, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL BUTTON FASTEN- ENGAND BUTTON COMPANY, 033 DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICH- IGANBUTTON-ATTACHING MACHINE Application filed June 2, 1922. Serial No.565,420.

This invention relates to button attaching machines or the like. Amongother objects the invention is intended to provide an improved andsimplified machine which is more reliable in operation and relativelyless enpe'nsive to construct, and is not so likely to fail to functionbecause of wear or slight irregularities in the buttons or fastenersused in the machine.

The invention consists in the novel constructions, combinations, andarrangements, hereinafter described or claimed for carrying out theabove stated objects and such other objects as will appear from thefollowing specification.

if Ii The character of the invention may be best understood by referenceto one illustrative machine embodying the invention and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings.

In said drawings;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of one side of themachine.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the other side of themachine.

Fig. 4: is a. perspective view of a portion of the button deliverymechanism.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on a line corresponding to line5-5 ofFig. 4.

I Fig. 6 is a detail section taken on the line 6-( of Fig. *1, showing asafety device.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of the button adjusting mechanism.

Figs. 8 and 9 are perspective views of parts of the mechanism shown inFig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a vertical section through a ,portion of the settingmechanism.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of certain mechanism for handling the fastener.

Fig. 12 is a vertical section of the main driving shaft and certainrelated mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a detail section of the driving clutch and brake.

Fig. 14 is a section taken along'the line 14:44 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a section taken along the line 15-15 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 16 is a perspective View of the operating slide.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a rod for operating certain parts ofthe fastener ha'n dling mechanism.

Fig. 18 is a plan section taken on 18-18 of Fig. 16.

Fig. 19 is a plan view of the fastener trans ferrin g device.

Fig, 20 is a plan section of a detail taken on the line 2020 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 21 is a plan section of a detail taken on the line Ell-21 of Fig. 2illustrating the arrangen'ient of certain of the cams;

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a portion of the fastener handlingmechanism.

Fig 23 (Sheet 3) is a cross section of the operating slide taken on theline 2323 of Fig. 3. a

Fig. 24 is a vertical section through the button and fastener hoppers.

Fig. 25 is a section taken along the line 25-25 of Fig. 24 showing partof the fastener hopper. 1 1

Fig. 26 is a section of the button hopper taken on the line 2626 of Fig.24:.

Fig. 27 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the button hopper.

Fig. 28 is an enlarged detail View of a portion of the fastener hopper.

The present machine is intended to fasten automatically buttons of thebar typeto fabrics, clothing or the like. The term bar button isintended to include buttons having a bar or functionally equivalentmember by means of which the button is secured to whatever articledesired. In the arrangement illustrated, the button is securedautomatically by a two-pronged or double-pointed fastener, the prongs orlegs of which are bent or upset by suitable tools around or inengagement with the bar of the button. These and similar buttons'andfasteners require a relative arrangement or adjustment prior tofastening toenable the parts properly to engage. For instance, in thespecific types of buttons and fasteners illustrated, it is desired thatthe buttons and fasteners be adjusted relatively to each other prior tofastening to enable the prongs of the fastener to straddle the bar orequivalent member when the two parts are assembled and fastenedtogether.

the line Among other. purposeauthe present -ma.-.

chine is intended to improve upon prior machines and devices by securingmore reliable operation, by decreasing the number of parts, thuslessening the cost of construction and the opportunity formal-adjustment, and by arranging certain parts to supply. the buttonsand fasteners to the point of attachment without obstructing the freemovement of the operator. I

In the drawings, 10 represents the frame or casting of the machine,provided with a base 11 and being so proportioned as to present apleasing appearance. Projecting from the frame are housings 12 and 13carrying the attaching or setting mechanisms. These mechanisms comprisein general upper and lower setting tools 14 and 15, respectively, foroperatively uniting a button and fastener.

Suitable mechanism, hereinafter described, places a fastener 16 betweenthe jaws 17 with the head thereof resting upon the tool 15. The jaws 17are pivoted in the housing at 18 and pressed together by fiat springs19. Preferably, the inner faces of the jaws are slightly beveled, asindicated at 20, so as to provide a converging recess to receive thefastener. Preferably. also the inner faces of the jaw are notchedslightly at the proper position for the leading leg of the fastener toafford a reliable means for correctly positioning the fastener. The tool15 is raised and lowered by a lever 21 pivoted at 22 and having asurface 23 engaging the lower portion of the tool member. Preferably,the lever is rovided with a finger piece 24 by means of which the tool15 may be lifted manually to eject a fastener from the jaws. The tool 15operates in a position between the aws and is arranged at the propertune to open them to release the fastener, at the same time raising itabove the jaws. The mechanism for operating the lower, tool will behereinafter described. 3.

.The tool 14 is carried within a reciprocating sleeve 25 mounted in thehousing 12, The sleeve 25 is reciprocated by a lever 26 pivoted at27 andhaving a curved rack 28 mesh ng with a rack 29 on the sleeve. Themechanism for reciprocating the sleeve will be described hereinafter.The tool 14 is res liently connected with the sleeve by means of acompression spring 30 intended to permit the tool 14 to yield when acertain pressure has been reached. .A button 31 is held in operativerelationto the end of the tool 15 by suitable means such asbutton-holding jaws 32. The button-holding jaws have elongated bodies 33slightly resilient and are connected to a collar 34 fitting around thesleeve 25. The collar 34 is detachably connected with the sleeve 25through a locking member or dog 35 carried by the collar and pressedoutwardly by the spring 36. When the locklng dog 1s seated in one of therecesses 37 in the sleeve, the aws are operatively connected with thesleeve and move with the tool 14 holding the button in proper positionrelative thereto.

A button is placed by suitable mechanism, hereinafter described, betweenthe recessed faces 38 of the jaws and as carried thereby into engagementwith the fastener upon the downward movement of the sleeve 25. Thefabric of the article to which the button is to be attached is placedover the lower projecting housing with the exact part, to which thebutton is to be'attached, located over the fastener. The button andfastener are then brought together and when the collar 34 engagestheupp-er end 39 of the housing, the dog 35 is forced out of engagementwith the recess 37, thus mechanically disconnecting the jaws from thesleeve 25 and permitting the tool 14 to move relatively to the jaws. Inthe event that the cloth or garment is of great thickness, it may happenthat the jaws 32 will strike the cloth before the collar 34 engages thehousing. In that case, when sufficient pressure is exerted by the jaws,the dog 35 will be forced out of the recess'37' as before. The tool 14moves downward ejecting the button from the jaws and exerting sufiicientpres sure upon the parts properly to set the prongs of the fastener. Theupward movement of the tool 15 opens the jaws 17 and releases thefastener.

Upon the return movement of the tool 14, the dog 35 enters the upperrecess 37 and carries the collar 34 and jaws upward until the movementof the collar is arrested by the head of the adjustable screw 40. Thefurther upward movement of the sleeve brings the dog 35 into registrywith the lower recess 37. In this position, as stated above, the jawsare properly positioned to receive the next button. I

Fasteners are supplied from a suitable receptacle of sufficientcapacity, such as a hopper 41 having a rotary portion 42 of generalconical shape, mounted on shaft 43 carried by the upper portion of theframe 10. The hopper is provided with a plurality of apertures throughwhich the fasteners may pass in a predetermined position. Thisadjustment of fasteners enables the placing of a fastener in the settingposition in a predetermined position. In the arrangement illustrated,the edge 44 of the rotary member is provided with a plurality of slots45 through'which the legs of the fasteners may pass when arranged withone leg in advance of theother. The edge of the rotary member is spaceda suflicient distance from the edge of the stationary portion of thehopper to provide a space'46 through which the heads of the fastenersmay pass when the legs thereof are located properly in one of theslots45. This space and the slots 45 are made sufficiently large toaccommodate various sizes of fasteners employed.

The stationary portion of the hopper is provided with a closing flange47 extending a portion of the distance around the periphery of therotary member. At a suitable point at the periphery of the rotarymember, a, race way a8 is secured for receiving the fasteners whichpassthrough the slots 45. The raceway is of general rectangular shapehaving a slot 49 along one side intowhich the legs of the fastenersproject. The interior of the race way is made sufficiently wide and deepto accommodate the heads of various sizes of fasteners, thepredetermined arrangement of the fasteners being maintained by the slot49, along which the legs of the fastener slide one in advance of theother.

The rotary member 42 is provided with a spring-pressed catch 50, the endof which is intendedto engage one of a number of notches or recesses 51in a member 52 secured to the end of the shaft 43. The rotation of thehopper is effected by the chainoS through the shaft 43 and the catch 50.The depth of the notches is not sufficient to prevent the rotation ofthe member 42 by hand, independently of the rotation of the shaft, incase this becomes necessary to dislodge an improperly placed fastener,or for other reasons. During the manual operation of the hopper, thecatch 50 merely rides in and out of the various notches 51. For emptyingthe hopper, the catch 50 is withdrawn and. the member 4-2 pulled outupon the shaft a sufficient distance to permit the discharge of thefasteners through the space 46, which then becomes of considerablewidth, Fasteners are introduced through the opening 54 in the hopperprovided with hinged cover The fasteners are conducted by the raceway 48to a suitable position sufficiently to the rear of the setting point asnot to interfere with the freedom of movement of the operator. Asuitable device is associated with the raceway 48 for removing onefastener at a time therefrom and delivering it to suitable mechanism bymeans of which it is placed in setting position. In the presentinstance, the raceway terminates at a rotary disk-like member 56 (Figs.2 and 22) positioued preferably a sufficient distance behind the settingpoint. This disk is provided with T-shaped slot 57 passing from one faceto the other of the disk and shaped to receive a fastener with the legsthereof one above the other. the depth of the disk bein suflicieut toreceive only one fastener. The disk is pivoted to rotate about itscenter 58 to carry one fastener at a time from the end of the race wayto a point 59 which, in the present case, is directly behind the settingpoint. In this position the fastener falls through the slot and slidesby gravity down an inclined su face 60 into the fastener passage 61.When the slot 57 is moved from registry with the end of thefastenerraceway, the blank portion 62 of the disk passes across the end of theraceway and retains the lowermost fastener there n.

The slot 57 is moved from a position of registry with the raceway to theposition 59 and back again by oscillating the disk 56 (Fig. 18);. Thisis effected by a rod 63 having a recess 1- engaging loosely apin 65projecting from the lower side of the disk. The rod 63 is r ciprocatedby suitable mechanism, hereinafter described.

In order to avoid faulty feeding of fasteners to the disk 56, aspring-pressed pawl 66, the end of which enters the column of fastenersabove the lower-most fastener, is employed for supporting the column. offasteners at the time the lower fastener drops into the disk.

lVhen the disk 56 rotates to carry a fastener to position 59, a pin 67projecting from the disk 56, engages a cam surface on the pawl andcauses the spring momentarily to drop the entire column of fastenersupon the surface 62 of the disk. When the disk 56 is rotated in thereverse direction, the spring again enters the column of fasteners abovethe lower-most fastener and supports the. column, leaving the lower-mostfastener free to enter the slot when the same registers with the end ofthe fastener raceway. This arrangement removes any obstacles tending; toprevent the lowest fastener from dropping .reely into the disk.

Whenever it is desired to remove the raceway for cleaning, the spring 66also serves to prevent the fasteners from running out of the lower endof the raceway before the raceway can be emptied into a receptacle.

The end of the passage 61 is located in the housing 13 as closely aspracticable below the disk 56 to minimize the distance through which thefastener is required to fall by gravity. This is desirable because inrapid operation of the machine the time consumed by the dropping of thefastener by gravity becomes relatively large compared to the duration ofrelated movements. It is desirable that the time consumed during itsfall by gravity be as short as possible so that the fastener will. fallinto its place in the passage 61 before the device for pushing itthrough the passage arrives in this position. The fastener is pushedthrough the passage by a slide 68 which is reciprocated in the passageby suitable mechanism, hereinafter described. The fastener is carriedforward and forced between the jaws 17 into the proper position. It willbe apparent that the time consumed by the fastener in falling isconstant whether the machine is operated rapidly or slowly. B minimizingas much as possible the distance, through which the fasteners fall bygravity, the dropping of the fastener in the passage 61 may be arrangedto take place at a time when this passage is not occupied by any portionof the slide 68.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that, with each reciprocation ofthe slide 68, a fastener is placed in a predetermined position atfastener receptacle, comprising a stationary portlon and a rotary member71 similar to the rotary member 42. However, the edge 12 of the rotarymember is provided wlth a series of passages 73 of a size to permit thepassage of the collet or shank of the button. The heads of the buttonspass through a space 7 4 between the stationary and rotary members 71.The rotary member is connected for rotation with the shaft 43 by a catchsimilar to catch 50 of the fastener hopper. The ro-- tation of the shaft43 causes the member 71 to rotate, throwing the buttons into the slot 3and, when properly located, causing them to pass through the same intothe button raceway 7 5.

The button raceway conducts the buttons to a point sufiiciently behindthe setting mechanism as not to interfere with the freedom of movementof the operator. Suitable mechanism is provided for receiving one buttonat a time from the button raceway and delivering it to the settingpoint, (the holding jaws 32) properly adjusted relative to the fastenerto receive the same.

Across the end of the button raceway 7 5 is a reciprocatingbutton-receiving member 76, having a recess 77 therein for receiving abutton, the collet thereof resting in the narrow or bottom portion 7 8of the recess, and the head thereof resting upon the shoulder 79.Assuming a button to be in the recess 77, on the rearward movement ofthe slide 76, the head of the button engages an inclined cam surface 80by means of which it is moved across the passage and placed upon aprojecting surface 81 of the button carrier 82, the collet engaging theshoulder 83 and the head of the button projecting freely across thesur-' face 84. Arranged to project through the surface 81 and locatedcentrally of the button is a fork 85 or an equivalent member forengaging the bar or equivalent member of the button when the same is inadjusted position relative to the position of the fastener. at thesetting point. In the present construction the recessbetween the membersof the fork is ar-- ranged transversely of the direction of travel ofthe button toward the settingpoint and intended to straddle the bar of abutton when. the bar occupies a position transverse of the plane of theprongs of the fasteners at the setting point.

Suitable mechanism, hereinafter described, is employed for reciprocatingthe carrier 82. As the button passes through the passage 86 toward thesetting point, one side of the head is engaged by a spring-member 87,forcing the collet of the button to engage thesurface 88 on the oppositeside of the passage. In traveling through the passage, the button isengaged at points located at different distances from its center bymembers which exert opposing frictional forces tending to rotate thebutton in opposite directions. The turning moment of the frictionalforce exerted by the spring being greater, because of its greaterdistance from the center of the button, than that exerted by the surface88, the button is rotated in the direction of the predominating turningmoment, that being a clockwise direction looking down upon the button asit moves toward the setting point. During the travel of the buttonthrough the passage, the fork 85, which is pivoted at 89, is forcedupwardly by the spring 90, engaging the under side of the buttonadjacent the bar thereof. When the bar of the button comes into registrywith the space between the. members of the fork, it is engaged therebyand further rotation is prevented. The movement of the button continuesuntil it is pressed between the holding jaws 32, which spring apartslightly to receive the button. At this point the cam surface 91'engages the cam 92, causing the fork 85 to be Withdrawn from engagementwith the button. The button carrier is then withdrawn until the cam 92engages the cam surface 93, when the fork is again depressed, this beingthe position for receiving another button.

The button-receiving slide 76 is operated by the carrier 82, this beingeffected by engagement of the spring-pressed safety catch 94 with theshoulders 95 and 96 on the carrier. The button receiver 76 is movedforward when the catch engages the shoulder 95. As it moves forward, theinclined surface 96 engages the rim of the foremost button, if it betilted, and brings it into proper position for entry into the recess 77when the latter registers with the end of the button raceway. The end 97of the receiver serves to retain the balance of the buttons in theraceway on the return movement of the receiver.

. The safety catch 94 permits the mechanical disconnection of thereceiver from the carrier 82 in the event the former becomes caught forone reason or another.

The operation of the fastener and button delivery is coordinated by thereciprocating slide or crosshead 98 to'which the slide 68 and thecarrier 82 are connected. The member 63 has a lost motion connectiontherewith because the travel of the member 63 is considerably less thanthe travel of the slide 98. This is effected by a pin 99 which engagesalternately opposite shoulders 100 and 101 on the member 63. In order toprovide a safety device by means of which the memclose to its horizontaldead center.

ber '63 maybe mechanically disconnected from the slide 98 in the event afastener be comes caught, or for other reasons, the pin 98 is carriedupon the spring 102. Under excessive force, the end of the pin 99 iscammed over the shoulder 100 or 101 causing the spring 102 to yield.

The slide 98 is preferably provided with inclined guiding surfaces toretain it in position and slides within a suitable guide 108. Theslideis reciprocatcd by a lever 101, pivoted at 105, and having a pin andslot connection 106 with the slide.

The lever is provided at its pivot point 105 with a transverse shaft10'? supported with in bearings 108, the shaft extending at one endbeyond the bearings. An operating arm 109eXtends at an angle from thelever 104: and is provided with a cam surface 110and a projection 111 towhich a "tensionspring 112 is connected. The tension'spri'ng 112 isconnected at its other end to a suitable point within the frame of themachine. The lever 104 is rocked in one direction by the main shaft 118uponwhich is mounted the operatingcam 114.. In the arrangement shown,the cam 114 operates the lever arm 109 through a slide 115 traveling inguides 116. Preferably, the slide 115 is provided with a pair of rollers117 for engaging the cams 1'10 and 114-, respectively.

The slide 98 is carried forward through the operating portion of itscycle of movement by the spring 112, aided by the spring 118. The spring118 is connected with the lever llathrough the arm 119 secured to theshaft 107. The spring 118 is constructedand arranged to remain undersubstantial tension, even when the slide is in its forward position.This assists in moving the slide 98 at the'time when spring 1 12 isleast effective. In the arrangement shown (Figs. 3 and20) when the slide98 is farthest back the arm 119 to which the spring 118 is connected, isquite Therefore the initial movement of slide 98 causes a small relativehorizontal travel of arm 119 with a correspondingly slight shortening ofthe length of spring 118. Spring 118 retains substantially its fulltension until arm 119 approaches perpendicularity with spring 118. Atthis part of the travel the rate of shortening of spring 118 isrelatively large and this spring accordingly serves to operate slide 98at a time when spring 112 is under slight tension andleast effective.

It is apparent that the slide 98 is moved forward independently of thecam 114. This arrangement assures the movement of the button andfastener to their setting positions regardless of wear or adjustment ofthe other operating mechanism. It has been observed that when buttonsand fasteners are placed in setting position by positively operatedmeans, wear and lack of adjustment in such means often result infailureto carrythebutton or fastener far enough toward theirsettingpoints.

Also mounted on the main shaft .113 is'an eccentric 120 about which ismountedtheeccentric strap 121, pivotally connected with the arm 122 ofthe lever2'6. This cam, therefore, reciprocates the tool 14 andthebuttonholding jaws.

The lever 21 for operating the lower tool 15 is operated by a cam 123mounted on the main shaft113. The lever-is moved in its oppositedirection by the spring 124. Among other advantages, this arrangementpermits the manual operation of thetoo'l 15 bythe handle 24,independently ofthe 'cam123.

The hopper shaft43 is rotated through'th'e chain 53 by the sprocketl25mounted on auxiliary shaft 126. This shaftis driven through gears 127and 128 mounted respectively on the main and auxiliary'shafts.

Power is supplied to the machine through the belt129 and the pulley 130.Preferably, the pulley is made heavy toact as a fly-wheel. The pulley130is mountedloosely onthe cam shaft 113 and connected thereto'by asuitable clutch. I have illustrated a'ball clutch 131 which, through thefriction drag ofthe rotating parts, normally remainsengaged. The clutchmay be disengaged by a slight reverse rotation of the clutch ring 132.This ring is provided with a stop 138 arranged tobe engaged by themember 134 whenever it is desiredto release the clutch. This member ispreferably operated by a pedal controlled by'the operator. Whenever itis desired to operate the machine, the pedal is depressed,withdrawing'the member 13 1 from engagement with the clutch ring therebypermitting the rotation of the fly-wheel to re-engagethe clutch.

Operatedby the arm'134 is a'brake member 135 intended, when inraisedposition, toengagethe brake surface 136 mounted on the main shaft113. Thebrake is preferably provided with a spring 137 which normallydraws the brake away from engagement with the brake surface. The end ofthe spring is controlled by pin 138 on arm 134. When it is desired tostop the machine, the member 134is brought into engagement with the stop135 at the same time raising the brake so that it may engage the brakesurface 136. Thebrake 136 is eccentric to the shaft113 and is so locatedthat it engages the brakewhen the setting mechanism has completed acycle of operations. In otherwords,the machine, after the clutchisre'leased, is;permitted to coast under its own momentum until thecompletion of a cycle of operations, at which time thebrake engages thesurface 136 and stops the machine with the tools 14.- and 15 separatedand inposition .to permit the insertion of fabric or a garment towhich-is to be attached the succeeding button. During the operation ofthe machine, the brake is disengaged and withdrawn from engagement withthe brake surface.

It will be observed that the button and fastener hoppers are rotatedonly during the actual operation of the machine. The operating mechanismis constructed and arranged to rotate the hoppers about one-quarter of aturn during each cycle of operations, and there is no rotation of thehoppers when the machine is not actually in operation. ,WVhen hoppersrotatecontinuously as long as power is, on a machine, the enamel orfinish on the buttons is frequently damaged by thereontinual churning ofthe buttons in the hopper. The hoppers are arranged to be rotated onlysufliciently to maintain the raceways in adequately filled condition.

It will be observed that the buttons and fasteners are delivered to thedevices for carrying them in position at a distance sufficiently to therear of the setting point as not to interfere with thefreedom ofmovement of the operator. The button and fastener carrying devicesoperate from behind the setting mechanism and do not interfere in anyrespect with the operator. .The space between the setting 'mechanism isalways free and never obstructed by moving parts which might interferewith the operator or the garment held in-position.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the details of constructionof the illustrative machine, but may be variously modified. Moreover, itis not indispensable that all features of the invention be usedconjointly; they may be employed advantageously in various differentcombinations and sub-combinations.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim:

1. In a button attaching machine, the combination comprising attachingmechanism, a reciprocating carrier for carrying fasteners or the like tothe attaching point of said attaching mechanism, means for moving saidcarrier away'from said setting point, and a plurality of springsstrained by the movement of said carrier away from said setting pointfor moving said carrier toward said setting point, said springs being soarranged that at least one is under substantial strain when said carrierreaches the setting point. 2. In a button attaching machine,thecombination comprising attaching mechanism, a reciprocating carrier forcarrying fasteners to the attaching point of said attachingmechanism,means for moving said carrier away from said setting point,and a plurality of springs tensioned by the movement of said carrierawayfrom the setting point for moving said carrier tosaid setting point,said springs constructed and arranged so that one spring becomes activewhen the other is substantially relaxed.

mechanism, an oscillating lever for recipro:

cating said carrier, means for rocking said lever to move the carrieraway from said setting point, and a pair of springs connected with saidlever, tensioned by the movement of said carrier away from said settingpoint i for moving said carrier to said setting point, said springsconstructed and arranged so that one spring is not substantially relaxeduntil after the initial-forward movement of said carrier.

4. In a button attaching machine, the combination comprising areciprocating fastener-setting tool, a button holder for bolding abutton adjacent the end of said tool in position to receive a fastener,a springp'ressed locking device engaging a recess in said tool forconnecting said holder to said tool whereby the button is held in fixedrelation to said tool, and a stop for arresting the movement of saidholder and releasing said locking device to permit said tool to ejectthe button from the holder.

4 5. In a button attaching'machine, the combination comprising areciprocating fastener-setting tool, a button holder for holding abutton adjacent the end of said tool in position toreceive a fastener, aspringpressed locking device engaging a recess in said tool forconnecting said holder to said tool whereby the button is held in fixedrelation to said tool, and a stop for arresting the movement of saidholder, releasing said, locking device to permit said tool to eject thebutton from the holder, and means for again re-engaging said lockingdevice in the recess.

. 6. In a button attaching machine, the combination comprising abuttonand fastener delivery mechanism, a reciprocating slide connected withsaid mechanism and cooperating therewith to advance buttons andfasteners to the attaching point, opposing setting tools arranged toreciprocate toward and away from each other for attaching buttons, amain drive shaft, and levers oscillated by said shaft, connectedrespectively with said slide and setting tools for reciprocating them.

7. In a button attaching machine, the combination comprising a movableaffixing tool, a button holder releasably connected with said tool tomove the button with said tool, means for operatively disconnecting saidholder from said tool to permit the latter to move relatively to theformer, and limiting means for re-connecting said holder and tool.

' 8. In a button attaching machine, the combination comprising a movableafiixing tool, a button holder for holding a button in op-- erativerelation to said tool, means for re lid leasably connecting said holderto said tool to carry the button with said tool, means for disconnectingsaid tool and holder to permit the former to move relatively to saidbutton to eject it from said holder, and positive ly acting means foragain edecting a connection between said tool and holder upon thereverse movement of said tool.

9. In a button attaching machine, the combination comprising areciprocating allixing tool, a button holder for holding a buttonadjacent the end of said tool in position to receive a fastener, meansfor releasably connecting said holder with said tool whereby the lattercarries the button toward fastener setting position, and means forarresting the movement of said holder with said tool at a predeterminedposition, said tool being constructed and arranged to advance after thearrest of said holder to eject the button from the holder.

10. In a button attaching machine, the combination comprising attachingmechanism including upper and lower dies movable together and apartduring the attaching operation, mechanism for placing a button andfastener in attaching position and operable to place said button and.fastener in position relative to said dies respectively when the latterseparate upon the completion of the preceding attaching operation, adriving shaft having driving mechanism connected therewith through aclutch, and braking mechanism including a brake surface and a brakemember associated with and controlled by said clutch, said mechanismbeing inoperative to arrest the operation of said machine until thepositioning of a button and fastener in said feeding mechanism and beingconstructed and arranged to stop said machine after the completion ofsaid positioning operation and when said dies are in separatedcondition.

11. An automatic button attaching ma chine comprising in combination amachine base, attaching mechanism including upper and lower diesnormally separated and both movable toward each other to attach a buttonwith a fastener, said mechanism being carried by a housing whichprojects in front of said base, reciprocating button and fastener slidesrespectively carried by said base and housing on levels with theextremities of the upper and lower dies respectively when in separatedposition and having the same amplitude of reciprocation, said slidesbeing located in the vertical plane of said dies and adapted to move abutton and fastener forward from said base to the upper and lower diesrespectively, said dies each having associated therewith means forreceiving the button and fastenerrespectively and carrying the same toattaching position, button and fastener raceways terminating adjacentthe button and fastener slides respectively at points to the rear ofsaid attaching mechanism, means for placing single buttons and fastenersin front'of the button and fastener slides, respectively,to be movedthereby to the respective attaching dies, ,1

means forholding the button and fastener in operative relation relativeto the "respeclive dies, an automatically operated single reciprocatingcarrier in said base to which said slides are connectedandhavingthe'same amplitude of reciprocation as saidslides, guides for saidcarrier, and an oscillating leverfor reciprocating said carriertooperate said slides synchronously.

12. An automatic button attaching ma chine comprising in combination amachine base, attaching mechanism including upper and lower diesnormally separated and both movable toward each other to attach a buttonwith a fastener, said mechanism being carried by a housing whichprojects in front of said base, reciprocating button and fast-enerslides respectively carried by said base and housing on levels with theextremities of the upper and lower dies respectively when in separatedposition and having the same amplitude of reciprocation, said slidesbeing located in the vertical plane of said dies and adapted to move abutton and fastener forward from said base to the upper and lower diesrespectively, said dies each having associated therewith means forreceiving the button and fastener respectively and carrying the same toattaching posi tion, button and fastener raceways terminating adjacentthe button and fastener slides respectively at points to the rear ofsaid attaching mechanism, an automatically operated reciprocatingcarrier means in said base to which said slides are connected and havingthe same amplitude of reciprocation as said slides, and means operatedby the reciprocation of said carrier means for releasing a button and afastener to be placedin front of the respective slides and to be movedthereby to the respective attaching dies.

13. An automatic button attaching machine comprising in combination amachine base, attaching mechanism including upper and lower diesnormally separated and both movable toward each other to attach a buttonwith a fastener, said mechanism being carried by a housing whichprojects in front of said base, reciprocating button and fastener slidesrespectively carried by said base and housing on levels with theextremities of the upper and lower dies respectively when in separatedposition and having the same amplitude of reciprocation, said slidesbeing located in the vertical plane of said dies and adapted .to move abutton and fastener forward from said base to the upper and lower diesrespectively, said dies each having associated therewith means forreceiving the button and fastener respectively and carrying the same toattaching position, button and fastener raceways terminating adjacentthe button and fastener slides respectively at points to the rear ofsaid attaching mechanism, automatic means for reciprocating said slides,and means operated by said automatic means for positively moving abutton and a fastener respectively from their respective raceways aspositively moving the same toward the respective slides I when thelatter are in retracted position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification. I

JOHN M. CLARK.

